Norfolk Historical Society & Museum
Village Green, Norfolk, Connecticut
During Norfolk’s heyday as a summer resort, there were numerous boarding houses in addition to two large hotels. One of the most popular boarding houses was Miss Louise Rowland’s Fairlawn. True to its name, guests enjoyed croquet on the lawn and outdoor concerts on summer evenings.
In the early 20th century, there were as many as ten food stores in Norfolk, many of them operated by Irish-American families. This building was built by Walter and Burton Collar about 1904. Richard Whalen was later the owner and proprietor.
Deacon Warren Cone, manufacturer of grass and grain scythes, built this house in 1836 in the Greek Revival style which flourished in this country in the middle decades of the 19th century. With the gable end turned toward the street, forming a pediment, houses in this style evoked the Greek temple form, white and pristine, … Read more
The construction of this attractive stone building for the Norfolk Bank in 1857 began to fill in the fabric of Norfolk’s commercial center, and this stretch of road became known as Main Street. As with many New England buildings, the classical trim pieces including the pilasters, entablature, and pediment of the entrance are made of … Read more
The Norfolk Academy was a private school for boys and girls built in 1840 in the Greek Revival style. The triangular pediment of the gable end evoked the Greek temple form and the ideals of that ancient democracy to which our young country aspired. The school flourished for twenty years under the leadership of William … Read more
Designed by master builder David Hoadley in 1813, the Church of Christ was built on the site of the original 1760 peach-blow pink meetinghouse. The church was widely heralded for its graceful, tiered steeple, and the design was emulated in nearby churches. The three doorways, originally arched, were remodeled in the Victorian era, and the … Read more
Washington, CT-based architect Ehrick K. Rossiter designed this picturesque, Queen Anne-style house in 1898 for Charles Spofford, son of Ainsworth Spofford, Librarian of Congress. Now called Manor House, it was Rossiter’s first commission in Norfolk. He would later design the Music Shed and Haystack Tower.
Following the war, Ezekiel and some of his brothers came to Norfolk, where land was being offered to settlers in lots. On June 21, 1763, Ezekiel purchased Lot 37 of 50 acres on Beech Flats for 100 pounds, 10 shillings ($28,000 today) from Captain Daniel Lawrence. Even though Wilcox went on to purchase other property … Read more
Built in 1806 by Deacon Michael F. Mills, this house was the home of Rev. Ralph Emerson, second pastor of the Church of Christ and cousin to the writer Ralph Emerson. In 1874, the house was owned by Frederick E. Porter, who with his brother Lucius helped organize the Norfolk & New Brunswick Hosiery Company. … Read more
Built by the Rev. Joseph Eldridge in 1845 and designed by Charles Thompson of New Haven, this four-square house with hipped roof was the family residence for eighty years. Following the death of their parents, Mary, Isabella, and Alice Eldridge made extensive alterations. Architect J. Cleveland Cady added a third floor and a gallery to … Read more